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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

The Indian society is held together by the Varnashrama Vyavastha (वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्था). The [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama Dharma]] enumerates personal and social responsibilities of an individual through the life span. Every individual is entrusted with specific responsibilities based on the Varna and the phase of life (ashrama). It is this shared responsibility among people belonging to the four Varnas and in the four ashramas, that is the secret to the smooth functioning of the society.     

The Indian society is held together by the Varnashrama Vyavastha (वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्था). The [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama Dharma]] enumerates personal and social responsibilities of an individual. Through the life span, every individual is entrusted with specific responsibilities based on the Varna and the phase of life (ashrama). It is this shared responsibility among people belonging to the four Varnas and in the four ashramas, that is the secret to the smooth functioning of the society.     

Out of these responsibilities, Upajivika (उपजीविका ॥ livelihood) is a major one. For, that impacts the financial stability of the society as a whole. Livelihood is primarily, the responsibility of a Grhastha. The Smrtis enumerate various means of livelihood for Grhasthas.  

Out of these responsibilities, Upajivika (उपजीविका ॥ livelihood) is a major one. For, that impacts the financial stability of the society as a whole. Livelihood is primarily, the responsibility of a Grhastha. The Smrtis enumerate various means of livelihood for Grhasthas.  

==उपजीविकानियमाः ॥ Rules Regarding Livelihood==

==उपजीविकानियमाः ॥ Rules Regarding Livelihood==

The rules regarding livelihood as enumerated in the Manusmrti are as follows:  

The rules regarding livelihood as enumerated in the Manusmrti are as follows:  

*A brahmana may collect grains enough to fill a granary, or a smaller store, or what suffices for three days, or make provision only for a day. Among these four Brahmanas, each later one is considered more distinguished, and through the virtue of righteousness, he is said to have conquered the fruits of heaven. Out of these four types of Grhasthas, subsisting by one of the six means (Rta, etc) is prescribed for those with a large family. Those with a smaller family, are advised to subsist through performance of [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajnas]], teaching Vedas and accepting charity. Those not willing to accept charity are expected to subsist with Yajana (याजनम् । sacrifice) and Adhyapana (अध्यापनम् । teaching). While the last one, should subsist by teaching the Vedas alone. (Manu Smrt. 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9).<ref name=":1">Pt. Girija Prasad Dvivedi (1917), [https://archive.org/details/ManusmrtiHindiTranslationGirijaPrasadDvivediNavalKishore The Manusmriti], Lucknow: Naval Kishore Press.</ref><blockquote>कुशूलधान्यको वा स्यात्कुम्भीधान्यक एव वा । त्र्यहैहिको वापि भवेदश्वस्तनिक एव वा || ४.७ ||</blockquote><blockquote>चतुर्णाम् अपि चैतेषां द्विजानां गृहमेधिनाम् । ज्यायान्परः परो ज्ञेयो धर्मतो लोकजित्तमः || ४.८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>षट्कर्मैको भवत्येषां त्रिभिरन्यः प्रवर्तते । द्वाभ्याम् एकश्चतुर्थस्तु ब्रह्मसत्त्रेण जीवति || ४.९ ||<ref name=":0">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 4].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>kuśūladhānyako vā syātkumbhīdhānyaka eva vā । tryahaihiko vāpi bhavedaśvastanika eva vā || 4.7 ||</blockquote><blockquote>caturṇām api caiteṣāṁ dvijānāṁ gr̥hamedhinām । jyāyānparaḥ paro jñeyo dharmato lokajittamaḥ || 4.8 ||</blockquote><blockquote>ṣaṭkarmaiko bhavatyeṣāṁ tribhiranyaḥ pravartate । dvābhyām ekaścaturthastu brahmasattreṇa jīvati || 4.9 ||</blockquote>

*A brahmana may collect grains enough to fill a granary, or a smaller store, or what suffices for three days, or make provision only for a day. Among these four Brahmanas, each later one is considered more distinguished, and through the virtue of righteousness, he is said to have conquered the fruits of heaven. Out of these four types of Grhasthas, subsisting by one of the six means (Rta, etc) is prescribed for those with a large family. Those with a smaller family, are advised to subsist through performance of [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajnas]], teaching Vedas and accepting charity. Those not willing to accept charity are expected to subsist with Yajana (याजनम् । sacrifice) and Adhyapana (अध्यापनम् । teaching). While the last one, should subsist by teaching the Vedas alone. (Manu Smrt. 4.7, 4.8 and 4.9).<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>कुशूलधान्यको वा स्यात्कुम्भीधान्यक एव वा । त्र्यहैहिको वापि भवेदश्वस्तनिक एव वा || ४.७ ||</blockquote><blockquote>चतुर्णाम् अपि चैतेषां द्विजानां गृहमेधिनाम् । ज्यायान्परः परो ज्ञेयो धर्मतो लोकजित्तमः || ४.८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>षट्कर्मैको भवत्येषां त्रिभिरन्यः प्रवर्तते । द्वाभ्याम् एकश्चतुर्थस्तु ब्रह्मसत्त्रेण जीवति || ४.९ ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>kuśūladhānyako vā syātkumbhīdhānyaka eva vā । tryahaihiko vāpi bhavedaśvastanika eva vā || 4.7 ||</blockquote><blockquote>caturṇām api caiteṣāṁ dvijānāṁ gr̥hamedhinām । jyāyānparaḥ paro jñeyo dharmato lokajittamaḥ || 4.8 ||</blockquote><blockquote>ṣaṭkarmaiko bhavatyeṣāṁ tribhiranyaḥ pravartate । dvābhyām ekaścaturthastu brahmasattreṇa jīvati || 4.9 ||</blockquote>

*It is said that, a Brahmana should not name his family and gotra for the sake of food; if he does so, he is called a vantashi (one who eats vomited food). (Manu Smrt. 3.109).<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>न भोजनार्थं स्वे विप्रः कुलगोत्रे निवेदयेत् । भोजनार्थं हि ते शंसन्वान्ताशीत्युच्यते बुधैः || ३.१०९ ||<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>na bhojanārthaṁ sve vipraḥ kulagotre nivedayet । bhojanārthaṁ hi te śaṁsanvāntāśītyucyate budhaiḥ || 3.109 ||</blockquote>

*It is said that, a Brahmana should not name his family and gotra for the sake of food; if he does so, he is called a vantashi (one who eats vomited food). (Manu Smrt. 3.109).<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>न भोजनार्थं स्वे विप्रः कुलगोत्रे निवेदयेत् । भोजनार्थं हि ते शंसन्वान्ताशीत्युच्यते बुधैः || ३.१०९ ||<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 3]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>na bhojanārthaṁ sve vipraḥ kulagotre nivedayet । bhojanārthaṁ hi te śaṁsanvāntāśītyucyate budhaiḥ || 3.109 ||</blockquote>

*(While living in the house), The Brahmana shall, in normal times, subsist by taking to that means of livelihood which involves no trouble—or very little trouble—to living beings. (Manu Smrt. 4.2).<ref name=":2">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://ia801603.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46010/2015.46010.Manusmrti--Vol-4.pdf Vol.4]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> At the same time, one should not do any bad deed for sustaining himself and his family. And one should accumulate wealth without unduly fatiguing one's body. (Manu Smrt. 4.3).<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>अद्रोहेणैव भूतानां अल्पद्रोहेण वा पुनः । या वृत्तिस्तां समास्थाय विप्रो जीवेदनापदि || ४.२ ||</blockquote><blockquote>यात्रामात्रप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं स्वैः कर्मभिरगर्हितैः । अक्लेशेन शरीरस्य कुर्वीत धनसंचयम् || ४.३ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>adroheṇaiva bhūtānāṁ alpadroheṇa vā punaḥ । yā vr̥ttistāṁ samāsthāya vipro jīvedanāpadi || 4.2 ||</blockquote><blockquote>yātrāmātraprasiddhyarthaṁ svaiḥ karmabhiragarhitaiḥ । akleśena śarīrasya kurvīta dhanasaṁcayam || 4.3 ||</blockquote>

*(While living in the house), The Brahmana shall, in normal times, subsist by taking to that means of livelihood which involves no trouble—or very little trouble—to living beings. (Manu Smrt. 4.2).<ref name=":2">Ganganath Jha (1920-39), Manusmrti ([https://ia801603.us.archive.org/33/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.46010/2015.46010.Manusmrti--Vol-4.pdf Vol.4]), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref> At the same time, one should not do any bad deed for sustaining himself and his family. And one should accumulate wealth without unduly fatiguing one's body. (Manu Smrt. 4.3).<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>अद्रोहेणैव भूतानां अल्पद्रोहेण वा पुनः । या वृत्तिस्तां समास्थाय विप्रो जीवेदनापदि || ४.२ ||</blockquote><blockquote>यात्रामात्रप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं स्वैः कर्मभिरगर्हितैः । अक्लेशेन शरीरस्य कुर्वीत धनसंचयम् || ४.३ ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>adroheṇaiva bhūtānāṁ alpadroheṇa vā punaḥ । yā vr̥ttistāṁ samāsthāya vipro jīvedanāpadi || 4.2 ||</blockquote><blockquote>yātrāmātraprasiddhyarthaṁ svaiḥ karmabhiragarhitaiḥ । akleśena śarīrasya kurvīta dhanasaṁcayam || 4.3 ||</blockquote>

*At the same time, it is also adviced that one who subsists by gleaning corn, must be always intent on the performance of the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]], and constantly offer those Ishtis prescribed for the days of new moon and full moon days. One should never, for the sake of subsistence, get carried away by the ways of the world or resort to false praise; rather one should adopt a pure, straightforward behaviour and by not taking up the work of a businessman, lead the honest life of a Brahmana. (Manu Smrt. 4.10 and 4.11).<ref name=":1" /> He who wants happiness should adopt perfect contentment and remain self-controlled. Happiness has its root in contentment, and its opposite is the root of unhappiness. (Manu Smrt. 4.12).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>वर्तयंश्च शिलोञ्छाभ्यां अग्निहोत्रपरायणः । इष्टीः पार्वायणान्तीयाः केवला निर्वपेत्सदा || ४.१० ||</blockquote><blockquote>न लोकवृत्तं वर्तेत वृत्तिहेतोः कथं चन । अजिह्मां अशथां शुद्धां जीवेद्ब्राह्मणजीविकाम् || ४.११ ||</blockquote><blockquote>संतोषं परं आस्थाय सुखार्थी संयतो भवेत् । संतोषमूलं हि सुखं दुःखमूलं विपर्ययः || ४.१२ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>vartayaṁśca śiloñchābhyāṁ agnihotraparāyaṇaḥ । iṣṭīḥ pārvāyaṇāntīyāḥ kevalā nirvapetsadā || 4.10 ||</blockquote><blockquote>na lokavr̥ttaṁ varteta vr̥ttihetoḥ kathaṁ cana । ajihmāṁ aśathāṁ śuddhāṁ jīvedbrāhmaṇajīvikām || 4.11 ||</blockquote><blockquote>saṁtoṣaṁ paraṁ āsthāya sukhārthī saṁyato bhavet । saṁtoṣamūlaṁ hi sukhaṁ duḥkhamūlaṁ viparyayaḥ || 4.12 ||</blockquote>

*At the same time, it is also adviced that one who subsists by gleaning corn, must be always intent on the performance of the [[Agnihotra (अग्निहोत्रम्)|Agnihotra]], and constantly offer those Ishtis prescribed for the days of new moon and full moon days. One should never, for the sake of subsistence, get carried away by the ways of the world or resort to false praise; rather one should adopt a pure, straightforward behaviour and by not taking up the work of a businessman, lead the honest life of a Brahmana. (Manu Smrt. 4.10 and 4.11).<ref name=":12" /> He who wants happiness should adopt perfect contentment and remain self-controlled. Happiness has its root in contentment, and its opposite is the root of unhappiness. (Manu Smrt. 4.12).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>वर्तयंश्च शिलोञ्छाभ्यां अग्निहोत्रपरायणः । इष्टीः पार्वायणान्तीयाः केवला निर्वपेत्सदा || ४.१० ||</blockquote><blockquote>न लोकवृत्तं वर्तेत वृत्तिहेतोः कथं चन । अजिह्मां अशथां शुद्धां जीवेद्ब्राह्मणजीविकाम् || ४.११ ||</blockquote><blockquote>संतोषं परं आस्थाय सुखार्थी संयतो भवेत् । संतोषमूलं हि सुखं दुःखमूलं विपर्ययः || ४.१२ ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>vartayaṁśca śiloñchābhyāṁ agnihotraparāyaṇaḥ । iṣṭīḥ pārvāyaṇāntīyāḥ kevalā nirvapetsadā || 4.10 ||</blockquote><blockquote>na lokavr̥ttaṁ varteta vr̥ttihetoḥ kathaṁ cana । ajihmāṁ aśathāṁ śuddhāṁ jīvedbrāhmaṇajīvikām || 4.11 ||</blockquote><blockquote>saṁtoṣaṁ paraṁ āsthāya sukhārthī saṁyato bhavet । saṁtoṣamūlaṁ hi sukhaṁ duḥkhamūlaṁ viparyayaḥ || 4.12 ||</blockquote>

==अमृतोपजीविका ॥ That which comes without asking==

==अमृतोपजीविका ॥ That which comes without asking==

In certain conditions, a [[Snataka (स्नातकः)|Snataka]] is permitted to subsist by accepting that which comes his way without demanding. For example,

In certain conditions, a [[Snataka (स्नातकः)|Snataka]], a graduate entering the phase of [[Grhasthashrama (गृहस्थाश्रमः)|grhasthashrama]], is permitted to subsist by accepting that which comes his way without demanding (Manu. Smrt. 4.4-5).<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" />. The things and the reason for which those things may be accepted are as follows:

*One may accept from all persons fuel, water, roots, and fruits, and food that is offered, as also honey and the gift of fearlessness.’ It is said that, alms brought forward and offered, and not previously begged, Prajapati has declared to be acceptable, even from a person of bad deeds. (Manu Smrt. 4.247 and 248).<ref name=":2" /> In fact, the forefathers do not accept the [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]] for fifteen years and [[Agni (आग्निः)|agni]] does not carry the havya (हव्यम्) given by those who disdain such a freely-offered donation. (Manu Smrt. 4.249).<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>एधोदकं मूलफलं अन्नं अभ्युद्यतं च यत् । सर्वतः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्मध्वथाभयदक्षिणाम् || ४.२४७ ||</blockquote><blockquote>आहृताभ्युद्यतां भिक्षां पुरस्तादप्रचोदिताम् । मेने प्रजापतिर्ग्राह्यां अपि दुष्कृतकर्मणः || ४.२४८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>नाश्नन्ति पितरस्तस्य दशवर्षाणि पञ्च च । न च हव्यं वहत्यग्निर्यस्तां अभ्यवमन्यते || ४.२४९ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>edhodakaṁ mūlaphalaṁ annaṁ abhyudyataṁ ca yat । sarvataḥ pratigr̥hṇīyānmadhvathābhayadakṣiṇām || 4.247 ||</blockquote><blockquote>āhr̥tābhyudyatāṁ bhikṣāṁ purastādapracoditām । mene prajāpatirgrāhyāṁ api duṣkr̥takarmaṇaḥ || 4.248 ||</blockquote><blockquote>nāśnanti pitarastasya daśavarṣāṇi pañca ca । na ca havyaṁ vahatyagniryastāṁ abhyavamanyate || 4.249 ||</blockquote>

*One may accept from all persons fuel, water, roots, and fruits, and food that is offered, as also honey and the gift of fearlessness.’ It is said that, alms brought forward and offered, and not previously begged, Prajapati has declared to be acceptable, even from a person of bad deeds. (Manu Smrt. 4.247 and 248).<ref name=":2" /> In fact, the forefathers do not accept the [[Shraddha (श्राद्धम्)|shraddha]] for fifteen years and [[Agni (आग्निः)|agni]] does not carry the havya (हव्यम्) given by those who disdain such a freely-offered donation. (Manu Smrt. 4.249).<ref name=":12" /><blockquote>एधोदकं मूलफलं अन्नं अभ्युद्यतं च यत् । सर्वतः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्मध्वथाभयदक्षिणाम् || ४.२४७ ||</blockquote><blockquote>आहृताभ्युद्यतां भिक्षां पुरस्तादप्रचोदिताम् । मेने प्रजापतिर्ग्राह्यां अपि दुष्कृतकर्मणः || ४.२४८ ||</blockquote><blockquote>नाश्नन्ति पितरस्तस्य दशवर्षाणि पञ्च च । न च हव्यं वहत्यग्निर्यस्तां अभ्यवमन्यते || ४.२४९ ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>edhodakaṁ mūlaphalaṁ annaṁ abhyudyataṁ ca yat । sarvataḥ pratigr̥hṇīyānmadhvathābhayadakṣiṇām || 4.247 ||</blockquote><blockquote>āhr̥tābhyudyatāṁ bhikṣāṁ purastādapracoditām । mene prajāpatirgrāhyāṁ api duṣkr̥takarmaṇaḥ || 4.248 ||</blockquote><blockquote>nāśnanti pitarastasya daśavarṣāṇi pañca ca । na ca havyaṁ vahatyagniryastāṁ abhyavamanyate || 4.249 ||</blockquote>

*It is also said, one shall not refuse a couch, a house, kuśa grass, perfumes, water, flowers, jewels, curd, grain, fish, milk, meat and vegetables. (Manu Smrt. 4.250).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>शय्यां गृहान्कुशान्गन्धानपः पुष्पं मणीन्दधि । धाना मत्स्यान्पयो मांसं शाकं चैव न निर्णुदेत् || ४.२५० ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>śayyāṁ gr̥hānkuśāngandhānapaḥ puṣpaṁ maṇīndadhi । dhānā matsyānpayo māṁsaṁ śākaṁ caiva na nirṇudet || 4.250 ||</blockquote>

*It is also said, one shall not refuse a couch, a house, kusha grass, perfumes, water, flowers, jewels, curd, grain, fish, milk, meat and vegetables. (Manu Smrt. 4.250).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>शय्यां गृहान्कुशान्गन्धानपः पुष्पं मणीन्दधि । धाना मत्स्यान्पयो मांसं शाकं चैव न निर्णुदेत् || ४.२५० ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>śayyāṁ gr̥hānkuśāngandhānapaḥ puṣpaṁ maṇīndadhi । dhānā matsyānpayo māṁsaṁ śākaṁ caiva na nirṇudet || 4.250 ||</blockquote>

*If one desires to benefit his Gurus and those whom he is bound to maintain, or wishes to honour the gods and guests, one may accept (donations) from anybody; but one must not satisfy one's personal needs with such donations. But if one's Gurus are dead, or if one lives separate from them in (another) house, then in order to subsist one may accept donations from good people alone. (Manu Smrt. 4.251 and 252).<ref name=":3">Pt. Sri Rama Ramanuja Acharya, [http://www.srimatham.com/uploads/5/5/4/9/5549439/manu_for_modern_times.pdf The Laws of Manu for the 21st Century], srimatham.com</ref><blockquote>गुरून्भृत्यांश्चोज्जिहीर्षन्नर्चिष्यन्देवतातिथीन् । सर्वतः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न तु तृप्येत्स्वयं ततः || ४.२५१ ||</blockquote><blockquote>गुरुषु त्वभ्यतीतेषु विना वा तैर्गृहे वसन् । आत्मनो वृत्तिं अन्विच्छन्गृह्णीयात्साधुतः सदा || ४.२५२ ||<ref name=":0" /></blockquote><blockquote>gurūnbhr̥tyāṁścojjihīrṣannarciṣyandevatātithīn । sarvataḥ pratigr̥hṇīyānna tu tr̥pyetsvayaṁ tataḥ || 4.251 ||</blockquote><blockquote>guruṣu tvabhyatīteṣu vinā vā tairgr̥he vasan । ātmano vr̥ttiṁ anvicchangr̥hṇīyātsādhutaḥ sadā || 4.252 ||</blockquote>

*For the purpose of bringing relief to one's teachers and dependents, and for the purpose of honoring the deities and guests, one may accept gifts from all persons; but one shall not derive from them satisfaction for oneself. However, when the Teachers are dead, or when one lives in his house without them,—then, seeking for one's own subsistence, one may always accept gifts from good persons. (Manu Smrt. 4.251 and 252).<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>गुरून्भृत्यांश्चोज्जिहीर्षन्नर्चिष्यन्देवतातिथीन् । सर्वतः प्रतिगृह्णीयान्न तु तृप्येत्स्वयं ततः || ४.२५१ ||</blockquote><blockquote>गुरुषु त्वभ्यतीतेषु विना वा तैर्गृहे वसन् । आत्मनो वृत्तिं अन्विच्छन्गृह्णीयात्साधुतः सदा || ४.२५२ ||<ref name=":02" /></blockquote><blockquote>gurūnbhr̥tyāṁścojjihīrṣannarciṣyandevatātithīn । sarvataḥ pratigr̥hṇīyānna tu tr̥pyetsvayaṁ tataḥ || 4.251 ||</blockquote><blockquote>guruṣu tvabhyatīteṣu vinā vā tairgr̥he vasan । ātmano vr̥ttiṁ anvicchangr̥hṇīyātsādhutaḥ sadā || 4.252 ||</blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==